USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1956 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
At present the Town of Reading has 641/2 miles of accepted roads. Added to this are about 11 miles of private ways which have been presented to the Board of Survey. This makes a total of 751/2 miles of roadways in Reading. Of this number there are 20.6 miles of sewered streets. This makes 55 miles of possible streets to sewer in the future.
The cost of constructing common sewerage has tended to increase as has all other public construction. During the year 1955 the cost of common sewer construction in the town of Reading was $60,000 per mile. However, for the coming year, the cost of sewer construction - to be on the conservative side - could be as high as $70,000 per mile. So, at this time, if it were to be considered to sewer the entire town of Reading, we would be discussing a sum somewhere in the vicinity of $3,900,000. In recent weeks the figure of $6,000,000 has been used. This is $2,100,000 more than our estimate according to present- day indicated costs.
Chapter 314, Acts of 1909 of the General Laws authorized the Town of Reading to construct a system of sanitary sewers. In 1911 the town voted to accept the provisions of the Act. In 1916 it was voted to accept Chapter 159, Acts of 1916, admitting the Town of Reading to the North Metropolitan Sewerage District. In May of 1916 the town authorized the Sewer Commissioners to employ Frank A. Barbour, consulting engi- neer, to survey the town and design a system of sewerage and under- drains. The report provided for 38.8 miles of gravity sewerage, of which 20.6 miles have been constructed up to January first of this year. This master plan, together with the street profiles, is being followed - with certain changes occasioned by the growth of the town. Consequently, we have the engineering studies for many more miles of sewer main extensions within our present gravity system whenever sufficient appro- priations become available. In 1954 the present Willow Street pump- ing station was constructed to serve the new High School with the result that a new area was made available for sewer main extensions.
The procedure on sewer main extensions is as follows:
1. When citizens come to the Board of Public Works about obtain- ing sewer, we tell them that the procedure is to procure a signed petition of property owners on their street and file it with the Board.
2. These petitions are then placed on file in sequence as they are received. We have not accepted petitions where sewer cannot be ex- tended beyond our present facilities - meaning the gravity system plus the area served by the Willow Street Sewerage Pumping Station.
3. The Department then prepares a construction estimate of the cost of the sewer extension, including if necessary, the cost of connecting links of main sewer necessary before petitioned-for sewer can be con- structed.
4. The Department also prepares, makes a study of sanitation conditions in the area served by the petition, and the need for a sewer
51
extension. A report of their findings is then made to the Board for its consideration.
5. A public hearing is then held, and the petitioners present their need for sewer. They are given an estimate of the cost to them, indi- vidually, of the extension. The petitioners are also polled as to their individual interest of connecting with the sewer. It is the policy of the Board of Public Works to obtain signed applications for sewer house connections from at least 90% of the abuttors before recommending a sewer extension. The present policy of the Board of Public Works regarding the allocation of sewer mains is the same policy that has been in effect for many years. That policy is and has been a three- part policy of:
1. Giving relief to those citizens who are in the greatest need and who can be serviced within our budget limitations.
2. Providing sewer according to the relative date of receipt by the Board of Sewer petitions.
3. Maintaining a sufficiently flexible sewerage program to serve the best interests of all the taxpayers of the Town of Reading.
This policy must of necessity remain flexible. Many factors enter into this. Such items as permanent road construction, developments where sewers can readily be made available to the developers use, in which event the developer is required to install sewers at his own ex- pense. Several other conditions are important factors requiring a high- ly flexible Board of Public Works policy regarding sewer main exten- sions. As an example, West Street is worthy of specific mention. Inas- much as West Street is to become a Chapter 90 road with macadam pene- tration (hard rock) surface, and since construction will begin this year starting at Woburn Street, the Board believes it most necessary that sewer mains and sewer house connections be placed in West Street at this time. With West Street sewer installed to proper grades, it will be possible to sewer the entire Wescroft development; by easement it will be possible to service County Road, and other roads will be serviced by West Street sewer such as Palmer Hill Avenue and several others.
The need for sewer extensions has increased steadily as indicated by the number of sewer extension applications received by the Board of Public Works.
In October 1953 there were on hand sewer extension applications totaling an estimated $100,000.00.
As of April 1, 1956 there were on hand a total of 63 sewer exten- sion applications containing 663 signatures of citizens. To construct these extensions at present day costs would require $557,000.00. There are 48,384 lineal feet or 9.18 miles of sewer main construction involved in these applications.
Since the construction of the Willow Street Sewer Pumping Station the sewerage system is available to many more streets. It is from this area that we have received many citizens and groups showing good rea- sons why main line sewer should be extended to service them. These people have, in many cases, waited years for sewers to become available to them. And now that it is available to them (in some cases the sewer main goes to the end of their street) they do not understand why
52
sufficient funds are not made available so that present insanitary con- ditions on their streets may be corrected. Town Meeting members rep- resenting many of these citizens are no doubt present this evening. It is also to the advantage of all the citizens of Reading that such con- ditions as cesspools overflowing onto public ways should be eliminated as soon as possible.
Cost to applicants on sewer construction is subdivided into three parts, as follows:
1. Sewer Frontage Assessments.
2. Sewer House Connections.
3. Sewer Rental or semi-annual sewer service charge.
Of these, the first listed, Sewer Frontage Assessment, is a statutory amount set by Chapter 314, Acts of 1909, which states that 30% of the cost of construction shall be assessed to abuttors. The present charges for street frontage assessments are $2.50 per lineal foot. In 1956 the frontage assessment has been increased from $1.25 per foot to $2.50 per foot in view of rising construction costs for labor and material.
One hundred per cent of the sewer house connection cost is charged applicants, from the sewer main to through the cellar wall.
Sewar rental or sewer service charges are based on water usage as determined by water meter readings, and are approximately 60% of metered water rates. Both sewer frontage assessments and sewer rental charges are reviewed from time to time by the Board, as required by law.
In this report the Board of Public Works have endeavored to present the factual situation regarding the sewerage situation in Reading as it exists today.
The Board desires to carry out the wishes of the citizens. It wel- comes the Special Committee authorized here last week. Other in- terested groups or individuals are also welcomed by the Board.
Conclusion
The problem of Sanitary Sewer Construction in Reading has two general methods of solution.
1. Embark on a rapid program to install sanitary sewer lines to all dwelling houses in Reading, or,
2. Continue construction in accordance with applications.
An accelerated program to sewer the entire Town would require financing by means of a Bond Issue.
The statutory limit for borrowing would have to be increased Payment on Bonds could be spread over ten or twenty years, which would obligate the Town for future payments.
As reported in detail the large influx of applications has definitely been due to the recent construction of the High School Sewer and Willow Street Sewage Pumping Station, which made available for sewerage a large new area within the Willow Street Gravity District.
With the large amount of sewer main applications now on hand there is a possibility that the peak has been reached. Also, the in- creased assessment charges may act as a deterrent for future appli- cations.
53
In the final analyses the only person qualified to determine the need for common sewer is the applicant. The decision of the applicant can only be made when he has the cost estimates available. Common sewage versus Individual sewage systems in most instances is a mat- ter of balancing costs.
The Board of Public Works definitely believes that whether a resident spends his money for common sewer or a cesspool is and can only be his decision, and as Sewer Commissioners it is the responsibility of the Board of Public Works to present the request for funds to the Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH R. JOHNSON, Chairman ยท
COLEMAN J. DONAHUE, Secretary
WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR.
HAROLD D. KILGORE, JR. DOMENICK ZANNI, JR.
Board of Public Works Town of Reading
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the report be accepted and placed on file.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to place Article 2 on the table.
On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted to take Article 3 from the table.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted that there be and hereby is established a Special Committee to be known as "Park and Recreation Department Study Committee" consisting of one member of the Board of Selectmen chosen by it, one member of the Recreation Committee chosen by it, one member of the Board of Public Works chosen by it, one member of the Finance Committee chosen by it, one member of the School Committee chosen by it, and four citizens of the Town to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one member from each of the precincts of the Town.
The Committee shall consider the advisability of establishing a Park and Recreation Department for the Town, the work to be performed by such a Department, and all other matters relating thereto. The Committee shall submit a written report not later than the next Annual Town Meeting.
On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted to place Article 3 on the table.
ARTICE 38. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the sum of Seventy Nine Thousand ($79,000.00) Dollars to be raised from the Tax Levy and appropriated for the construction of sewers, sewerage works and other sewerage facilities to be used in such loca- tions as the Board of Public Works may determine, said sum to be apportioned as follows:
Thirty Seven Thousand ($37,000.00) Dollars for Salaries and Forty
54
Two Thousand ($42,000.00) Dollars for Expenses, said sum to be ex- pended by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works.
67 voted in the affirmative.
60 voted in the negative.
ARTICLE 39. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Forty Three Thousand Nine Hundred ($43,900.00) Dollars be raised, and appropriated by transferring Twenty Three Thousand Five Hundred Two and Thirty One Hundredths ($23,502.30) Dollars of said sum from the Road Machinery Fund to the Road Machinery Operating Account and the remaining sum of Twenty Thousand Three Hundred Ninety Seven and Seventy One Hundredths ($20,397.70) Dollars to be raised from the Tax Levy and that the total sum of Forty Three Thousand Nine Hundred ($43,900.00) Dollars be appropriated for the maintenance, repair and operation of road machinery and for purchase by the Board of Public Works of One (1) Business Coupe, One (1) 34 Ton Pick-Up Truck, One (1) 21/2 Ton Truck Chassis, One (1) 2 Ton Truck Chassis, One (1) 31/2 Ton Truck, One (1) 2 Ton Roller, One (1) 125 cubic foot Air Compressor, and One (1) Mechanical Street Sweeper and the proceeds received from the sale of old equipment be appropriated in addition to the above mentioned sum of Forty Three Thousand Nine Hundred ($43,900.00) Dollars as part of the purchase price for the above mentioned equipment and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said amount to carry out the purpose of this vote.
On motion of William J. Richmond it was voted to take up Article 44.
ARTICLE 44. Kenneth R. Johnson moved that the Town vote to amend Article X of the General By-Laws of the Town by inserting after Section 5 thereof the following new section to be known as Section 5A:
Section 5A. No person shall allow or cause water to flow, by mechanical means or otherwise, from a cellar or sump pit onto a public way within the limits of the Town, unless a permit therefor is issued by the Board of Public Works.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars.
This motion was not voted.
ARTICLE 40. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Six Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty ($6,750.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated from the Tax Levy for the purpose of im- proving and constructing a portion of West Street from near Palmer Hill Avenue toward the Wilmington-Reading Town Line, together with such sums as may be provided by the State and County under Section 34 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 41. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Five Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated from the Tax Levy for maintaining, repairing and resurfacing streets constructed under Section 34 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws together with such sums as may be provided by the State and County.
55
ARTICLE 42. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr. it was voted that Article 42 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 43. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that Article 43 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 45. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000.00) Dollars be transferred from the unexpended balance of the Water Department New Standpipe Account for the purpose of constructing an addition to the Municipal Garage located on John Street for the Water Department and that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and instructed to accept on behalf of the Town for use in carrying out such project any Federal Funds which may be granted therefor, such sum or sums to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works, and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
ARTICLE 46. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr. it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Two Hundred Eighty ($1,280.00) Dollars be raised from the Tax Levy and appropriated for cleaning the Town Parking Areas located Westerly of Main Street and Northerly of Haven Street, and Northerly of Haven Street and Easterly of Chute Street, to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works, said sum to be apportioned as follows: $960.00 for salaries and $320.00 for expenses.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the meeting stand adjourned at 11:00 P.M. until April 16, 1956 at 7:45 P.M. to meet in the New High School Auditorium.
141 Precinct Members were present.
A true copy. Attest:
BOYD H. STEWART, Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
New High School Auditorium
April 16, 1956
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. How- ard, at 8:00 p.m.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to take Article 37 from the table.
ARTICLE 37. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the re- locating or altering of the North-Westerly corner of Pleasant Street and Eaton Street and adopt the recommendations contained therein.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
Town of Reading
Report of the Board of Public Works on the Relocation or Alteration of the Northwesterly Corner of Pleasant Street and Eaton Street The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading, having deter-
56
mined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity, require that the public highways be laid out, relocated or altered as and in the location hereinafter described, having complied with all require- ments of law relating to notice to owners of land thereof, and of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appointed for such hearing, and then and there heard all persons present who desired to be heard, have laid out, relocated or altered as public highways for the use of the Town, the Northwesterly corner of Pleasant Street and Eaton Street.
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made for this improvement.
No betterments are to be assessed for this improvement.
This laying out, relocation or alteration so made by us, we hereby report to the Town for acceptance and recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the Town, that said public highways shall therefore be laid out, relocated or altered in accordance with said plan. HAROLD D. KILGORE, JR., Chairman C. J. DONAHUE, Secretary WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON DOMENICK ZANNI, JR.
Members of the Board of Public Works Town of Reading
ARTICLE 47. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the re- locating or altering of the Southerly side line of Middlesex Avenue at its intersection with the Easterly side line of Vine Street and adopt the recommendations contained therein.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
Town of Reading
Report of the Board of Public Works on the Relocation or Alteration of the Southeasterly Corner of Middlesex Avenue and Vine Street
The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading, having deter- mined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity require that the public highways be laid out, relocated or altered as and in the location hereinafter described, having complied with all require- ments of law relating to notice to owners of land thereof, and of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appointed for such hearing, and then and there heard all persons present who desired to be heard, have laid out, relocated or altered as public highways for the use of the Town, the Southeasterly corner of Middlesex Avenue and Vine Street.
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made for this improvement.
57
No betterments are to be assessed for this improvement.
This laying out, relocation or alteration so made by us, we hereby report to the Town for acceptance and recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the Town, that said public highways shall therefore be laid out, relocated or altered in accordance with said plan.
HAROLD D. KILGORE, JR., Chairman C. J. DONAHUE, Secretary WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON DOMENICK ZANNI, JR.
Members of the
Board of Public Works Town of Reading
On motion of John R. Kay it was voted that the following vote under Article 38 passed at the adjourned Annual Town Meeting on April 9, 1956 be reconsidered:
"ARTICLE 38, on motion of Kenneth R. Johnson, it was voted that the sum of Seventy-nine thousand (79,000) dollars be raised from the tax levy and be appropriated for the construction of sewers, sewer works and other sewer facilities to be used in such locations as the Board of Public Works shall determine, said fund to be apportioned as follows:
Thirty-seven thousand (37,000) dollars for salaries;
Forty-two thousand (42,000) dollars for expenses; said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works."
93 voted in the affirmative.
47 voted in the negative
Article 38. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that Article 38 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 49. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article XI of the General By-laws of the Town be and the same hereby is amended by inserting after Section 2 thereof the following new sec- tion known as Section 2A:
Section 2A: No person shall fire or discharge any firearms or explosives of any kind within the limits of any highway, park, or other public property, except with the written permission of the Board of Selectmen, nor on any private property except with the written consent of the owner or legal occupant thereof and the written permission of the Board of Selectmen; provided however, that this by-law shall not apply to the lawful defense of life or property, nor to any law enforce- ment officer acting in the discharge of his duties, nor to the use of such weapon at any military exercises or any established rifle range, nor to the rights and privileges of an owner or lessee of land as set forth in Chapter 131 of the General Laws.
Whoever violates the provision of this section shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $20.00 for each offense.
On motion of Robert G. Clinch it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
58
ARTICLE 2. The following report was read by Robert G. Clinch. Report of the Planning Board
On January 24, 1956 at 8:00 o'clock P.M. your Planning Board held a Public Hearing in Room 19 of the Town Building. This was in legal response to a petition of fifteen citizens for inclusion in the Warrant of an Article for the rezoning from Residence A-1 to Business A of the following property;
Beginning at the center line of Main Street at a point where pro- longation of the Southerly boundary property line of William D. Moore and Marguerita M. Moore crosses the center line of Main Street and being the terminating description of the now existing Business Zone A;
Thence Easterly by the present Business Zone 150 feet;
Thence turning and running Southerly by a line parallel to and 117 feet distance from the Easterly side line of Main Street to the center line of Summer Avenue and the present existing Businss Zone;
Thence turning and running Westerly by the present existing Bus- iness Zone 300 feet;
Thence turning and running Northerly by a line parallel to and 117 feet distance from the Westerly side line of Main Street to the center line of Pinevale Avenue, and
Thence Easterly by the center line of Pinevale Avenue 150 feet to the center line of Main Street and,
Thence Northerly along the center line of Main Street to the point of beginning.
The Board feels that in accordance with basic planning theory this is a normal expansion of our Business A Zone. The property to the north as far as the railroad tracks and to the south of this area are now so zoned. The history of zoning in Reading shows that orig- inally the area under discussion was also planned and created as Business A. It is generally held that the expansion of an existing zone is far better than the creation of new area. Business Zone A is designed with a 50' setback from the street and is presently restricted to areas on North and South Main Street as indicated on the Zoning Map. The Board feels that this is the correct location for Business A and there any expansion should take place.
We feel the advent of express Route 28 will tend to make business better for the merchant on Main Street in that people will feel safer traveling this road with a large proportion of the heavy transient traffic sifted away. This, in turn, should favor an increase in values and hence tax return to the Town. The luxury of being a purely residential community is an expensive one. We have seen our neigh- boring towns turn to industry and business to stem the increase in taxes to the individual. We believe that a coordinated growth is a healthy one and too much emphasis on either industrial or residential growth may well result in disaster.
The foregoing is, of course, the theoretical side of the picture as regards this proposed change. The Board feels it has two responsi- bilities. One is to see that the basic tenets of good planning and zoning are maintained. The second is to see that the wishes of the people of the Town, particularly those most affected by any change,
59
are respected. The case at hand is strongly opposed by the majority of the residents in the area. They feel that all areas now zoned for Business A should be exhausted before any increase be allowed. They have expressed the fear that any future business development would decrease the value of their homes and land. The character of the pro- perties contained in the proposed change are, in their opinion, better suited for residential purposes and should be left as they are.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.